Lyme Disease Science Blog

There are many documented cases of patients with Lyme disease suffering from suicidal or homicidal tendencies. In the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, psychiatrist Robert Bransfield, MD, expresses his concern for this under-recognized patient population. “Suicidal and homicidal tendencies after Lyme disease are clearly an ignored problem that deserves greater attention.” [1]

by Daniel J. Cameron, MD, MPH

Bransfield’s colleagues from Howard University, Rush University Medical Center and the University of North Dakota agree with his assessment, stating, “We would like to applaud the author for conducting such an important study by performing a comprehensive assessment of suicide and its association with Lyme-associated diseases (LADs).” [2]

Suicidal and homicidal tendencies in Lyme disease patients is an ignored problem.

• “A 44-year-old male without any past psychiatric history presented with a third unsuccessful suicide attempt and was later diagnosed as having Borrelia infection.” One month of medical therapy with intravenous ceftriaxone resulted in improvements in his mental status and resolution of suicidal ideation. [3]

• “Patients with Lyme borreliosis can experience psychiatric issues during both acute and late phases of the disease, most common being depression. In some cases, it slowly progresses to severity and suicidality … but in some cases, it is unpredictable.” [4]

• “[Two] patients were diagnosed with Lyme disease and appropriate treatment was offered. A few months after the treatment, both patients developed severe depression along with suicidal threats and an attempt by one patient. Evidence of persistent Lyme borreliosis was found in both cases.” [5]

In the third highlighted case, patient A was also suicidal, violent, and physically assaultive to her son. Patient B, who was followed over a span of 30 years, “was highly suicidal, had horrific intrusive images of killing others, and had violent impulses which were eliminated with treatment,” explains Bransfield. [2] Both patients recovered with antibiotic and psychotropic treatment, which “was clearly life saving.”

Dr. Daniel Cameron

09/15/2017 (5:05 am)

You have an outstanding faculty. The goal is great “This educational summit is a 1-1/2 day program for physicians and nurses on the diagnosis and treatment of neurological tick infections ( i.e.: Borellia Burdorferi, Bartonella etc.) which lead to cognitive impairments, mental illness and ideations of suicide/violence.”

Amy

09/17/2017 (12:18 am)

This is very real. It haplened to me. I attempted suicide three times and almost succeeded twice. Doctors misdiagnosed and mistreated me. It was the most painful and scariest part of my life. I estimate I went undiagnosed for at least 7 years. I was losing my mind and my life and knew I was in a struggle for my life. I am one of the lucky who remember the tick bite and how things went downhill after it. I found a Lyme doctor and within a couple of month the depression was gone after taking antibiotics. It has taken longer for other symptoms to slowly get better but having the depression clear was the first step in having my life return to what it once was. Anyone older who is depressed and has never had depression before should be evaluated for a medical problem thag may be the cause of the depression. My depression was treatment resistant. That should have been a sign to the doctors.

jenniferpina

10/20/2017 (8:39 pm)

Dr. Daniel Cameron

10/21/2017 (10:33 pm)

It remains important to seek immediate help if you have suicidal thoughts. It is important to use of 911 or the emergency room if your doctor is not available. It also is important to consider an assessment for a tick borne illness as part of any evaluation.

03/12/2018 (3:10 pm)

I wish this article came out sooner. 5/1/17, my husband who we called Tommy tick, or Tommy tick magnet shot himself. He had been treated for Lyme’s disease. He was a hunter and woodsman. He loved the outdoors, but always managed to find a tick on him. After a beautiful trip to Aruba, we came home Saturday, and on Sunday his behavior was delusional. I did not know what to do, or what was wrong. That night, he shot himself. I truly believe his suicide was tick disease related. Please bring this to the forefront so that there is enough awareness.

Dr. Daniel Cameron

03/13/2018 (12:58 am)

Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH, is a nationally recognized leader for his expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. For more than 25 years, he has been treating adolescents and adults suffering from Lyme disease.

Introduction

Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH, is a nationally recognized leader for his expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. For more than 30 years, he has been treating adolescents and adults suffering from Lyme disease.